Sale Sharks No.8 Andy Powell is reportedly set to make a surprise cross-code switch to rugby league giants Wigan Warriors at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old's contract runs out at the end of the season and the 2010 Super League champions have swooped for his services, The Mail on Sunday reports. It means that Powell could become a dual-code international if he is called up to the Wales squad for the Rugby League World Cup in October and November.

However, Wales coach and Wigan assistant Iestyn Harris has since played down the situation. "I don't know anything about that. It would be great for Wales but as for him coming to Wigan I don't know anything."

Powell, who has previously turned down offers from Super League side Celtic Crusaders, won the last of his 23 Test caps in last year's Six Nations and toured South Africa with the Lions in 2009 but his career has been blighted by off-field indiscretions.

He was dropped from the Welsh squad in 2010 after he was stopped by police while driving a golf buggy down the M4 motorway near Cardiff and was released by London Wasps two years ago after getting in a bar brawl in west London. However, since his move to Sale in 2011 he has curbed his off-field excesses and helped Steve Diamond's team to the LV= Anglo-Welsh Cup final.